Padova Pride 2002: Freedom in Motion!

Fixed on June 8th, PadovaPride2002 is next Italian Gay Pride. A national event to claim those rights still denied to a great part of Italian gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens. The city of Padova has been chosen because it is the cultural, economical and geographical centre of the North-East of Italy, an area very rich in the economic sector but still not developed enough in accepting the diversity. The event is divided in two different parts, narrowly linked between them. In the first part, from March till May, all the towns and the GLBT associations of the North-East of Italy are involved in the so called NorthEastPride, a set of conferences, cultural events, parties and cinema festivals intended to start a deep debate on queer issues within the public opinion.

The second part is all concentrated in the city of Padova from June 4th till June 8th. PadovaPride2002 will be open on Tuesday 4th with a great show of cabaret and the participation of Luciana Littizzetto, nowadays the most famous female Italian comedian. The PrideParade2002 is arranged on June 8th, with people in thousands streaming through the streets of Padova in a colourful and pacific "invasion". All gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens, and those who believe in democracy are invited to take part to this great event in the name of freedom. Individual freedom and civil rights are values and achievements concerning all the citizens independently from their social, political, cultural and religious belonging.